The world is filled with such a wide
variety of wonderful destinations and beautiful places to visit, it can
be quite difficult to compile a list of the best ones. Thinking about a
traveler who, for whatever reason, has never set foot outside his or her
home town, where would be the first places they might visit?
The list of the world's best places to visit has to include great cities, like New York, Paris, London,
and so on, each of which is filled with a multitude of individual sites
or must-see places to visit. The list also includes specific sites,
monuments, and locations, each also worthy of a visit in their own
right.
For more ideas on where to go and what to see, read our list of the top places to visit in the world.
1. Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu
Located high in the Andes mountains of Peru, Machu Picchu is now
believed to have been a sacred royal retreat for the Incan rulers. Built
in the 15th century AD and abandoned less than a 100 years
later, the remote site continues to amaze with its perfectly joined,
mortarless, intricate stonework. Huge multi-ton blocks of stone are
perfectly joined with each other, without the use of mortar or cement.
The journey to Machu Picchu typically starts in the mountain city of Cusco, which was the capital city of the Inca Empire. Cusco is a fascinating place to explore-be sure to spend a few days there before or after your Machu Picchu adventure.
It's possible to hike the Inca Trail from Cusco to
Machu Picchu. The full hike takes five days, but you can also start
closer and do a one-, two- or three-day hike along the trail. Most
people take the train from Cusco, which takes about three and a half
hours.
2. The Grand Canyon, Arizona
Horseshoe Bend in the Grand Canyon
This incredible natural wonder is in the U.S. state of Arizona. It's
one of those beautiful places for which photos or video just don't do it
justice-its sheer size and scope is hard to comprehend.
With geology formed over the past two billion years, yes billion, the
277 mile-long canyon itself is believed to have been started around
five to six million years ago. It was formed by the flow of the Colorado
River, which still flows through it and continues to erode the geology
along its course. The Grand Canyon is up to 18 miles wide in places and
up to a mile deep. Imagine standing on the edge, looking down a sheer
rock wall almost a mile to the river below.
Most visitors come to the area referred to as the South Rim,
and there is a range of accommodations available, from tents to a
rustic luxury canyon-side resort built from logs. There are a few
accommodations on the remote North Rim, and these are reserved years in advance.
Many visitors access the canyon via the historic Grand Canyon Railway,
which runs from the town of Williams, Arizona. The 64-mile rail line
provides an entertaining way to get to the canyon with food and live
music onboard. For those driving, the canyon is about a
three-and-a-half-hour drive north from Phoenix (or south from Las
Vegas).
3. Rome, Italy
The Roman Forum
The Eternal City is more like a giant, living museum. Visitors are
immersed in and surrounded by thousands of years of history. It's a
relatively compact city, and a three-day itinerary gets you to the
minimum number of must-see places.
These must-see sites for any visitor include the Colosseum and adjacent Roman Forum; the Pantheon; and Vatican City, a separate country in the middle of central Rome.
Take some time to explore the outskirts of Rome, too. Consider a hike
along a tomb-lined section of the Appian Way, the ancient Roman
superhighway, and a visit to one of the aqueduct ruins outside the city.
4. Maui, Hawaii
A lush tropical beach on Maui
This Hawaiian island offers a wide range of experiences for visitors.
You can surf, enjoy a meal on the beach at a five-star luxury resort in
Wailea, ride a horse across a dormant volcano in Haleakala National Park,
or hike through a rainforest in the West Maui Mountains. The natural
scenery is amazing-it's truly one of the most beautiful islands in the
world.
When it comes to accommodation, there is something for everyone here, from rustic hippie bungalow bed and breakfasts to five-star luxury resort hotels.
Wailea has all the luxury resorts-it's like the beachfront Beverly
Hills of Maui. If you're staying here, be sure to venture out and spend
some time in Kihei, where the locals hang out.
5. Masai Mara, Kenya
Cheetah in the Masai Mara
Kenya's Masai Mara is an incredible bio-diverse area and a popular
safari destination. It's an opportunity to see the "big five" animals
(lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo) all during one
trip or, if you're lucky, during one afternoon.
The protected Masai Mara National Reserve park area is huge, over
1,500 square kilometers of mainly grassland, extending all the way to
the Serengeti plain of Tanzania. The popular times to visit are during
the twice-yearly migrations, the main one being in July and August. Over
a million wildebeest and other animals cross the area in huge groups to
go from one feeding area to another. Most visitors fly into Nairobi, then take a small bush plane to the Mara.
6. Montreal, Canada
Downtown Montreal at dusk
As you listen to the sound of French being spoken around you and explore Old Montreal,
wandering down its narrow cobblestone streets-you might think you're in
France. The historic area is filled with quaint shops and cafés; this
Canadian city can be a chance to experience a bit of Europe in North
America.
The city also has a thriving food scene, with several popular farmers
markets, including the Atwater Market and the Jean Talon Market. It's
also known for its bagels, cooked hot and fresh by several iconic
must-visit bakeries.
Be sure to visit the beautiful Notre-Dame Basilica
and take a drive up to Mount Royal, the big hill (or low mountain) the
city is named after. You'll be rewarded with some amazing views
extending all the way to the port.
7. New Zealand
Lupin blooming at Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
With its striking natural beauty, friendly citizens, and recent popularity due to its use as the filming location for the Lord of the Rings
films (as well as many others), this island nation is one of the
world's great places to visit. The biodiversity here is amazing-it's
believed New Zealand was one of the last places on earth to have human
inhabitants.
Start your visit off in the capital city of Auckland,
with its culture, history, and museums. Spend some time on the water
and at the beach-Waitemata Harbour has beaches, along with a range of
sailing and boating activities.
Visit the Rotorua area to learn about and experience indigenous Maori culture and head to Queenstown to experience the country's wide range of outdoor extreme action sports. Remember, this is where bungee jumping was invented.
8. Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul
Turkey's capital city is another destination that offers a great mix
of culture, food, and history. There are thousands of years of history
here, starting with Ancient Greeks and Ancient Romans and leading up
through the Ottoman Empire.
It's an Islamic country with a secular government, so it's a good
place for Western tourists to experience Islamic culture. There's a mix
of the new and the timeless here unlike anywhere else. You can spend the
night at a wonderful restaurant eating great Turkish food and dancing
to Turkish music, then rise (very early) in the morning to the sound of
the Ezan or morning Islamic call to prayer. It echoes across the
rooftops as it's broadcast from loudspeakers set atop the minarets of
the city's mosques.
Istanbul has excellent public transit, which means it's easy to get
around and explore all the major sites and monuments. Must-see places
include the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, and Topkapi Palace.
9. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat
Located just outside the Cambodian city of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is
the largest religious site in the world. It was created originally as a
Hindu temple and mausoleum for the Khmer ruler in the early part of the
12th century and was converted to a Buddhist temple at the end of the 12th
century. Just part of a enormous ancient city. Angkor Wat is the temple
area, Angor Thom was the city and palace area. There are hundreds of
other ruin sites in the area, all part of the ancient capital of Angkor.
Siem Reap and its temples and ruins are now very easily accessible
via daily flights from Hong Kong and other large Asian cities.
Accommodations range from inexpensive guesthouses to lavish luxury
resorts, with everything in between..
10. London, England
Tower Bridge in London
This historic English city is another destination just filled with
incredible places to visit. A trip to London is an opportunity to visit
iconic places like the Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London.
Take advantage of the city being a cultural center as well by seeing a
West End theater show or watching a musical performance at the Royal
Albert Hall. Modern London is also a city of fine dining, luxury hotels,
and world-class shopping.
Don't miss the museums, the vast British Museum is free, and usually quite crowded. Make time to visit The Wallace Collection,
a free museum on Oxford Street. It has one of the world's greatest
collections of furniture and porcelain, along with some important Old
Master paintings.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in London: Best Areas & Hotels
11. Manhattan, New York
Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty
One of the five boroughs of New York City, Manhattan is actually an
island, bordered by the East River and the Hudson (and a little bit by
the Harlem River). This island is a bit less than 23 square miles and is
home to almost two million residents. Add in the daily influx of
workers, and the island routinely holds close to four million people.
No other city in the world offers the frenetic energy of New York
City. It's filled with the world's best shopping and dining, along with incredible museums.
Manhattan also has a giant green heart, Central Park.
No matter the season, it provides a playground for the city's
residents, offering a range of activities from museums to a zoo. There's
also a lot of green space where you can play and relax, along with
miles of running, biking, and skating trails.
12. Paris, France
The Eiffel Tower
No visit to the French capital is complete without a trip to and a trip up its most iconic structure. The 300-meter-tall Eiffel Tower was quite simply, the tallest man-made structure in the world, from its opening in 1889 for 41 years until 1930.
Use your visit as a stair workout and climb the 300 steps from ground
level to the first of three levels on the tower. If you're in great
shape, climb another 300 steps to the second level. Then hop on the
elevator here to get to the top. Aside from the workout, you'll also
skip most of the crowd who want to take the elevator the whole way.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Paris: Best Areas & Hotels
13. San Francisco, California
The Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline
San Francisco is a truly unique American city and one of the world's
great vacation spots. Explore its hills, ride the cable cars that climb
them, and eat some seafood at Fisherman's Wharf. Also spend some time exploring Marin County on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge, including the picturesque town of Sausalito. The giant redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument are only 30 minutes away and also well worth a side trip.
Be sure to also make time for a visit to or even better, a drive
across, the Golden Gate Bridge. This monument to modern engineering
genius spans the strait that connects San Francisco Bay and the Pacific
Ocean. The almost two-mile-long, six-lane bridge connects the Northern
California city with Marin County.
Opened in 1937, the bridge has a unique, geometric beauty and can be
viewed from many areas on either side of its span. Some of the best
views are from the Marin Headlands, a hilly part of the Golden Gate
National Recreation Area, a national park which includes areas on either
side of the bridge.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in San Francisco: Best Areas & Hotels
14. Hong Kong
Hong Kong at sunset
Asia's largest city can feel like an Asian Manhattan, with giant
skyscrapers in a compact area and a serious focus on business. But
venture deeper, and you'll find the city's unique mix of ancient Chinese
culture and remnants of its British Colonial history as well. Gleaming
skyscrapers are built with hand-assembled bamboo scaffolding in a fusion
of new and old.
The city is divided into two main sections: Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, separated by Victoria Harbour.
Take the Star Ferry across the harbor, still one of the great travel
bargains, given the spectacular scenery on both sides. You can also
venture into the more rural areas to discover the sparsely populated Outlying Islands, hiking trails, and beautiful beaches.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Hong Kong: Best Areas & Hotels
15. Marrakesh, Morocco
Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, Marrakesh
Start your Marrakech adventure in the Jemaa el-Fnaa,
the main, open square in the Moroccan city. It's the gateway to the
medina or old walled city. The square is like nowhere else in the world,
presenting a constant show of humanity. There are musical performers,
snake charmers, monkey trainers, amateur boxing matches, and
transvestite belly dancers.
It's also a giant food market, as well as a giant antiques market and
swap meet. You can even get a haircut or have some dental work
performed. At night, there are fire performers, and an outdoor food fair
is set up in the center, with rows of food stalls fronted by counters
lined with chairs.
This exotic African destination is only a short flight (usually less
than four hours) from most major European cities. As a popular getaway
destination, there are frequent flights available. Accommodations range
from riads, traditional houses remade into luxury boutique hotels in the medina to five-star luxury resorts just outside the city in an area called La Palmeraie.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Marrakesh: Best Areas & Hotels
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